Publications

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October 1999 (Revised November 1999)
Case

Wit Capital: Evolution of the Online Investment Bank

Wit Capital brings democracy to the IPO process via the World Wide Web. This case encourages debate about the role service will play in this technology-intermediated investment bank and the sources and sustainability of its competitive advantage. View Details

Keywords: Initial Public Offering; Service Delivery; Competitive Advantage; Investment Banking; Web; Banking Industry

January 2002 (Revised June 2003)
Case

Abelli and Saviotti at Banca Commerciale Italiana (A)

By: Tiziana E. Casciaro, Kathleen L. McGinn and Massimiliano Belingheri

In 1999, a powerful struggle amidst complex corporate and interpersonal networks led to the failed merger between Banca Commerciale Italiana and Unicredito Italiano--two of Italy's largest banking groups. This case analyzes the actions of Abelli and Saviotti, co-CEOs... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Networks; Banks and Banking; Business Strategy; Power and Influence; Crisis Management; Government and Politics; International Finance; Failure; Banking Industry; Italy

September 1996 (Revised November 1996)
Case

World Bank (A): Under Siege

By: George C. Lodge and Carin-Isabel Knoop

Describes the issues that James Wolfensohn faces when he takes over the World Bank as president in June 1995. Presents several lines of criticism of the bank's strategy, structure, and relevance. View Details

Keywords: Financial Institutions; International Finance; Organizational Structure; Leading Change; Situation or Environment; Decision Choices and Conditions; Strategy; Management Teams; Value; Banking Industry

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24 Apr 2014
News

Crowdfunding capital for small business

James ("Brad") McGee (MBA 1987) cofounded iCrowd to bring entrepreneurs together in online communities to network and to help provide the financial and commercial resources businesses need to thrive. He launched the crowdfunding website... View Details

January 2009 (Revised February 2010)
Case

Gucci Group in 2009

By: David B. Yoffie and Renee Kim

The Gucci Group had transformed itself into the world's third largest luxury retailer with multiple brands. The company had performed well even after the departure of star designer Tom Ford and former CEO Domenico De Sole. However, the challenging global economic times... View Details

Keywords: Financial Crisis; Brands and Branding; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Luxury; Corporate Strategy; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Retail Industry

Web

Tough Tech Ventures - Course Catalog

strategies to overcome those challenges and successfully lead these ventures to scale in order to generate financial returns and deliver the intended impact. Key Learning Objectives Understand key founding... View Details

28 Jan 2014
First Look

First Look: January 28

economic trends a central economic activity and shed light on the mechanics of financial markets by providing a range of statistics and information about individual firms. They also raised questions that are still relevant today. What is... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

07 Sep 2021
News

Embracing Activism for Social Change

private corporations rely on public programs and policy for financial assistance during times of crisis. In contrast, ‘good’ corporate strategy often emphasizes minimizing tax liability. How might our... View Details

Keywords: Deborah Blagg

09 May 2005
Research & Ideas

Hold or Fold? Sizing Up Business Risk

of results we want to achieve in the next round—more of the same, or more of other kinds of results. An investor may say that she wishes to continue to build her financial assets, so she would check the column for "want more of the... View Details

Keywords: by Eileen C. Shapiro & Howard H. Stevenson

May 2025
Case

'Net Zero in Action': Impact Investing at the McKnight Foundation

By: Lauren Cohen, Christina R. Wing and Sophia Pan

Elizabeth McGeveran, Vice President of Investments at the McKnight Foundation, reflected on how to effectively advance the organization’s net-zero strategy. The foundation had committed 10% of its endowment to building a portfolio of impact investments and was among... View Details

06 Apr 2016
Research & Ideas

Should Entrepreneurs Pitch Products or Ideas for Products?

In trying to secure financial backing for a new product, independent innovators generally face the question of how much to invest in development before showing it around. Should they create, say, a working prototype (and maybe even... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Motion Pictures & Video; Entertainment & Recreation; Banking

01 Sep 2009
News

Professor, Historian, and Storyteller

Paul Kennedy examines in his 1987 book The Rise and Fall of Great Powers — issues of imperial overstretch, fiscally, economically, and geopolitically. There are other reasons too. The events of the last ten years — the recent financial... View Details

Keywords: News, Library, Internet, and Other Services; Information

October 2011
Teaching Note

Bridging the GAAPs (TN)

By: Gwen Yu

Teaching Note for 111-114. View Details

Keywords: Equity; Financial Reporting; Investment Portfolio; Valuation; Framework; Adoption; Standards; Globalization

October 2005
Case

Portfolio & Partnership

By: G. Felda Hardymon and Ann Leamon

Explores issues around the portfolio management and partnership behavior in a venture capital setting. View Details

Keywords: Investment Portfolio; Private Equity; Venture Capital; Partners and Partnerships; Financial Strategy

April 2004 (Revised July 2005)
Case

Offshoring at Global Information Systems, Inc.

By: William E. Fruhan Jr.

This case explores the topic of offshoring high-tech jobs several perspectives. The issues presented include determining the stock price consequences of offshoring, examining the economic consequences of the offshore job to both the transferring and receiving... View Details

Keywords: Economy; Stocks; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Personal Development and Career; Competition